How do I prepare for a transesophageal echocardiogram?

How to prepare. You will be asked not eat or drink for 4 to 6 hours before your exam and to take any prescribed medications with only a sip of water. You should also arrange to have someone drive you home after the exam in case you are feeling drowsy.

Why do I need a transesophageal echocardiogram?

A TEE is done when your doctor needs a closer look at your heart or does not get the information needed from a regular echo. You may need a combination of a TEE, Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler to get information about how blood flows across your heart’s valves.

What does a transesophageal echocardiogram show?

TEE is a type of echocardiography (echo). Echo shows the size and shape of the heart and how well the heart chambers and valves are working. Echo can pinpoint areas of heart muscle that aren’t contracting well because of poor blood flow or injury from a previous heart attack.

What is the name of the surgery to remove the esophagus?

The surgical removal of the esophagus is called “Esophagectomy”. Ectomy means to remove. Just as tonsillectomy means to remove the tonsils, esophagectomy is to remove the esophagus.

When do you need surgery for esophageal reflux?

People with severe, chronic esophageal reflux might need surgery to correct the problem if their symptoms are not relieved through other medical treatments. If left untreated, chronic gastroesophageal reflux can cause complications such as esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, bleeding, or scarring of the esophagus.

What are the disadvantages of having the esophagus removed?

The disadvantages are that the chest is opened, and that might be more painful for the patient, the surgery may be longer, and if the stomach sewn to the remaining esophagus (anastomosis) is in the chest cavity, if this attachment leaks, it may be very troublesome for the patient.

How is the lower esophageal sphincter repaired in Gerd?

To correct GERD, the surgeon reduces the hernia (returns the stomach into the abdomen), and wraps the upper part of the stomach (called the fundus) around the lower portion of the esophagus. This reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter so that food will not reflux back into the esophagus.